Texas Cities ‘Best Performing’ Two Years Running

LOS ANGELES (Milken Institute) – Texas metropolitan areas dominated the Milken Institute’s “Best-Performing Cities” index for the second year in a row, claiming half of the top ten slots.

Killeen-Temple-Fort Hood ranked first this year, bumping last year’s leader, Austin-Round Rock, down one notch. McAllen-Edinburg-Mission held its ground at number four.

El Paso jumped five slots to number nine, meeting Houston-Sugar Land-Baytown on the way (H-town dropped from fifth to tenth place).

The index ranks 200 of the nation’s largest metros based on their ability to create and sustain jobs.

According to a Milken press release, “a business-friendly climate, a vibrant tech industry, and little exposure to the housing bubble and the financial services industry helped keep Texas cities and many of their peers on stable ground during the economic downturn.”